Pollen indicators of slash-and-burn agriculture in forest soils and peatlands: a case study of Zvenigorod biological station (Moscow region, Russia)

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze pollen indicators of slash-and-burn agriculture in soils and aquatic deposits of the southern forest zone of Eastern Europe. Pollen spectra from buried swidden soils (500 - 1800 cal BP) were compared with coeval peat layers and modern surface soils. Swidden horizons exhibited highly distinctive pollen spectra, characterized by Betula dominance, low conifer pollen, and the presence of cultivation indicators (Cerealia) and post-fire succession taxa (Chamaenerion, Pteridium, Marchantia). The abundance of insect-pollinated Chamaenerion angustifolium - the most prominent indicator - suggests both its wide distribution in swidden landscapes and a possible link to ground-nesting bee activity, which may aid in identifying buried swiddens. In peat records, the onset of slash-and-burn agriculture was marked by microcharcoal, a decline in late-successional trees, a rise in pioneer taxa, and the appearance of agricultural indicators. Betula dominance in both archives reflects secondary stands typical of long-term swidden use. However, indicators of cultivation and succession were much less pronounced in peat. Our results show that paleosol pollen spectra provide reliable, site-specific evidence of swidden agriculture through local indicator taxa and traces of bee activity, though they tend to overrepresent local vegetation. In contrast, peat and lake records offer broader regional perspectives but detect swidden activity only indirectly. These insights provide a methodological basis for localizing ancient agricultural practices in future archeology and palaeoecology-related studies.